A swimmer has been left distraught after she came back to the riverbank to find her prosthetic leg gone.

Kate Sunley - confirmed by the International Ice Swimming Association as the world’s first female disabled “ice miler” - was swimming with friends in the River Tees at Preston Park, Eaglescliffe , on the evening of Monday, May 14.

But when she returned to the riverbank, several items were missing - including her prosthetic leg.

Her story has now been shared widely on social media in an effort to get the leg back.

Kate, of Stockton, posted on Facebook: “Missing, presumed lost - a pegleg called Pogo! Presumed to be floating down the Tees from Preston Park.

“WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THIS?

“I don’t think I know enough expletives to express my feelings right now but someone obviously thought it would be fun to steal my leg whilst I was swimming!”

In response, several people have posted their disgust if, as feared, the leg was deliberately taken.